Genetics of tannin content and its relationship with flower and testa colours in <i>Vicia faba</i>

Abstract

SUMMARY Tannin content of the testa was estimated in crosses among six Vicia faba lines of diverse origin using the vanillin-HCl method. Additive genetic variance was predominant in the inheritance of tannin content. Two white-flowered parents possessed different genetic information for tannin content when the pleiotropic effect of genes for white flowers was eliminated. The genes controlling red testa ( r ), spotted flower ( Sdp ) and yellow pigment on the flower ( yf ) negatively influenced tannin content in the testa. Breeding for low tannin content in Vicia faba is feasible and selection can be based on plants with yellow-spotted flowers and red testas.